How Are Neuropsychological Tests Done?

Neuropsychology is a field that is at the common denominator of neurology and psychology disciplines and that investigates the brain-behavior relationship in the most general sense. The most well-known way of investigating the brain-behavior relationship is neuropsychological evaluation.

What are the Objectives of Neuropsychological Evaluation?

Differential diagnosis,

• Lesion localization,
• Research,
• It is the planning of the patient's care and life,
• Determining whether the treatment is effective,
• Providing information on legal issues (such as whether the patient is workable or not, whether an accident has had any effect).

Basic test batteries are generally used in neuropsychological assessments.

Basic batteries cover all cognitive functions.

Where are Neuropsychological Tests Used?

Neuropsychological tests are most commonly used for accurate diagnosis and functional standardized evaluation of the patient. It may contain one or more of the objectives. For example, it is possible to inform the legal authorities by examining the patient both from a diagnostic and functional point of view. Evaluation in this situation may include gathering information for differential diagnosis, patient care and life planning, and legal issues.

On the other hand, it is stated that almost more than half of all neuropsychological evaluations are diagnostic. A diagnostic evaluation may be requested to find out whether the patient's complaint of forgetfulness is due to a degenerative process (dementia or not?).

The psychologist who will perform the evaluation should create certain assumptions in order to achieve these goals.

What are the General Assumptions Expected to Be Established in Neuropsychological Evaluation?

• Is there any impairment in cognitive functions?
• Is there any behavioral impairment?
• With the changes detected Is there a relationship between brain damage?
• How severe is the impairment detected?
• Does it limit the person's daily life? If limiting, what is the level?
• Is the process progressive or stationary?
• What is the possible diagnosis? How is the situation?
• The person's cognitive, emotional and behavioral What are their strengths and weaknesses?
• How are these aspects related to the patient's daily life?
• What is the patient's attitude towards damage or loss?

Neuropsychological evaluation, Although it seems like a standardized procedure, it is a personalized application. There may be other questions to add to these assumptions or questions, since they are personal. On the other hand, in some cases, neuropsychological evaluation may not be possible. For example, in cases of sudden development (such as trauma or paralysis), as a general rule, no evaluation is made. In such cases, the evaluation may not give a healthy result, as the patient's condition may change very quickly and/or the patient may tire quickly.

In such cases, it may be appropriate to make a brief assessment of the patient's ability to assess his general condition and understanding (such as whether he is able to follow directions). Then, in the period following the event (6-12 weeks later), a comprehensive evaluation can be made to seek an answer to the question of whether the patient will return to his previous state or to know how the process has developed.

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